Installation of seismic survey devices in shallow, low-angle boreholes

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a system and related method for installing seismic sensors in shallow, low-angle boreholes for obtaining conventional three-dimensional and four-dimensional seismic surveys. Installing seismic sensors in shallow, low-angle boreholes removes the sensing devices from surface anomalies that may affect seismic sensing performance. Moreover, installation of the seismic devices in this manner may be done in environmentally sensitive areas without undue environmental impact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directedto obtaining seismic information regarding hydrocarbon producingreservoirs. More particularly, the preferred embodiments are directed toplacing sensor equipment in shallow, low angle boreholes for acquisitionof seismic information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The key to efficient and economical extraction of hydrocarbonsfrom subsurface formations is information. The primary informationalsources relied on in the oil and gas industry are seismic graphs of theformation at issue. Early seismic graphs (sometimes referred to asseismographs) were two-dimensional in that the information they conveyedcould be represented in only two axes. With the advent and applicationof computer processing in the seismic arts, geophysicists were able tofurther refine seismic techniques to obtain three-dimensional (3-D)seismic graphs of formations at issue. Such 3-D seismic graphs aid theoil and gas industry in the location and placement of both vertical andhorizontal hydrocarbon-producing wells. That is, the 3-D seismic graphsmay indicate the highest point of the producing formation, the highestpoint being the most efficient extraction point. As an additionalexample, some hydrocarbon-producing layers may be substantiallyhorizontal, narrow bands. In such circumstances, a three-dimensionalseismograph allows geologists to optimally place the horizontalcomponents of a well bore.

[0006] Once hydrocarbon producing wells are in place, the need forinformation does not cease. The oil and gas industry tracks theextraction of the hydrocarbons of the formation over time for manyreasons, e.g. to estimate remaining reserves, to track waterencroachment, and the like. Tracking formations using seismic technologyover time is generally referred to as four-dimensional (4-D) seismic.The fourth dimension in 4-D seismic is, of course, the time dimension,and it is this time dimension which introduces difficulties in obtainingthe information. Several methods exist for obtaining 4-D seismicinformation. One such technique involves obtaining multiple 3-D seismicsurveys using standard surface techniques. As one of ordinary skill inthe art is aware, obtaining a seismic survey using surface techniquesinvolves placing long strands of cable across the surface of the earth,the cable having periodically spaced seismic receiving devices.Generally speaking, the seismic receiving devices are placed in a gridpattern over or proximate to the formation of interest. FIG. 1exemplifies placement of a cable 10 having seismic sensors 12 on thesurface 14 of the earth. After the seismic receiving devices are placed,a seismic event is triggered, for example by detonation of dynamite orthrough the use of vibrator trucks which contact the surface of theearth and impart energy. The energy, whether created by dynamite or bytrucks, propagates through the various earth layers to the formation ofinterest, and portions of the signal reflect back to the surfacereceivers.

[0007] Obtaining acoustic information in this manner is very timeconsuming and requires extensive access to the surface. For 4-D seismicusing surface techniques to be viable, the process must be performedperiodically, for example on a yearly basis. However, the repeatabilityof data obtained in this manner is questionable. First, the earth'ssurface, even over the course of a year, may change due to seasonal andother “weathering” factors, such as changes in water table levels.Further, it is impractical to guarantee that seismic sensors on thecables will have the precise coupling from year to year, or even thatseismic sensors will be in the same precise location. Moreover, accessto the surface to perform these type surveys may be limited, especiallyin environmentally sensitive areas or at certain times of the year.Thus, while obtaining 4-D seismic data using surface techniques ispossible, it has many difficulties.

[0008] Related art techniques exist to permanently install the seismicsensors at or near the surface. The permanent installation could be byway of burying the cables and related seismic sensing devices in atrench a few inches or feet below the ground, or by placing the sensorsin periodically spaced, relatively shallow vertical wells. Thesemethods, however, require extensive surface access and may significantlydamage or impair the surface in environmentally sensitive areas. In themarine context, these sensors are typically placed by hydrojet a fewinches or feet below the surface. Anchors for ships, shrimpingoperations, and the like damage sensors placed this way.

[0009] A second method for obtaining seismic information is to placeseismic sensors within the well bores of hydrocarbon producing wells.With the advent of deep horizontal drilling, it is common to drill asingle vertical well bore from the surface to several thousand feetdeep, and then extend from the vertical well a series of horizontalwells into the hydrocarbon producing formation to maximize hydrocarbonextraction. The horizontal wells, however, do not make right angles tothe vertical well bore, but instead have a radius of curvature suchthat, if they go as planned, they become substantially horizontal asthey enter the formation of interest. Thus, there are locations in thecurved portion of the well bores (see 16 of FIG. 1) where the prior artseismic sensing devices are placed. However, placement of seismicsensing devices in these portions of the well bores has difficulties.The first difficulty is that these well bores are usually hydrocarbonproducing well bores, and thus the seismic sensors may interfere withother downhole devices, such as production tubing, valves, scalersensors (such as pressure and temperature), and the like. Secondly, thepattern of the horizontal well bores is optimized for production, andnot seismic sensing.

[0010] A third method in the oil and gas industry for placement ofseismic sensors is drilling a dedicated survey well, such as the systemsuggested in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,538. While the survey well suggested inthe '538 patent may address the problems associated with attempting topermanently install seismic sensors in a production well bore, and alsothe repeatability problems of a surface seismic survey, the cost ofdrilling a deep survey well (on the order of 8,000 feet), with no offsetin hydrocarbon production, is in many cases prohibitive.

[0011] Thus, what is needed in the art is a mechanism whereby seismicsensors can be permanently or semi-permanently installed for 3-D and 4-Dseismic purposes without the surface-intensive practices of surfaceseismic surveys or the relatively high cost of drilling deep surveywells.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The problems noted above are solved in large part by a system andmethod of installing seismic sensor equipment in shallow, low-angleboreholes. The shallow, low-angle boreholes of the preferred embodimentare produced, not necessarily from hydrocarbon drilling techniques, butfrom the arts of horizontal surface drilling, e.g. for pipeinstallation, fiber optic cable installation, and the like. In thepreferred embodiment, a series of shallow, low-angle boreholes aredrilled from a single pad site. These shallow, low-angle boreholes arepreferably below the weathering layer of the surface, but aresignificantly above the hydrocarbon formations of interest. The shallow,low-angle boreholes may extend in a radial pattern from the single padsite, or may be drilled to be substantially parallel to each other atdepth. Preferably seismic sensors are permanently or semi-permanentlyinstalled in the shallow, low-angle boreholes, and the sensors are usedto obtain 3-D and 4-D seismic information. Thus, sensors of thepreferred embodiments stay in place for a long time, increasing therepeatability of seismic measurements. The shallow, low-angle boreholesmay also house other devices such as acoustic sensing devices, and thelike. Further, the shallow, low-angle boreholes may also house seismicor acoustic sources for imparting energy into the earth formations forcreation of 3-D and 4-D seismic information.

[0013] The disclosed devices and methods comprise a combination offeatures and advantages which overcome the deficiencies of the prior artdevices by providing a method and system for making seismic surveys whenaccess to the surface is not feasible, or when such access isenvironmentally unacceptable. The disclosed devices also overcome thedeficiencies of drilling deep survey wells to obtain seismic data. Thevarious characteristics described above, as well as other features, willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thefollowing detailed description, and by referring to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0015]FIG. 1 shows prior art systems for obtaining seismic surveys;

[0016]FIG. 2A shows an elevational side view of a horizontal ordirectional drilling equipment used in the preferred embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 2B shows an elevational side view of creating the shallow,low-angle boreholes of the preferred embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of one possible layout ofshallow, low-angle boreholes of the preferred embodiment;

[0019]FIG. 3B shows an overhead view of the exemplary set of shallow,low-angle boreholes shown in FIG. 3A;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of a second embodiment of theshallow, low-angle boreholes; and

[0021]FIG. 5 shows yet another exemplary layout for the shallow,low-angle boreholes.

Notation and Nomenclature

[0022] Certain terms are used throughout the following description andclaims to refer to particular system components. This document does notintend to distinguish between components that differ in name but notfunction.

[0023] As used herein, the term “borehole” is used to denote a holedrilled in the surface of the earth for purposes other than hydrocarbonproduction. By contrast, the term “well bore” is used herein to denote ahole drilled for purposes of hydrocarbon production, or a hole drilledproximate to hydrocarbon producing formations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directedto permanently or semi-permanently installing seismic sources andseismic sensors in shallow, low-angle boreholes for the generation offour dimensional (4-D) seismic information. More particularly, thepreferred embodiments comprise installation of seismic sensing devicesin shallow, low-angle boreholes below the weathering layer, which maycomprise surface and shallow subsurface anomalies, to obtain 4-Dseismographs of hydrocarbon producing formations. Installing the seismicsensors in the shallow, low-angle boreholes increases repeatability ofseismic tests by removing the erosion and weathering factors that affectsurface seismic tests. Further, installing seismic sensors in thismanner is more cost effective than drilling non-hydrocarbon producingsurvey well bores as suggested by the prior art. Moreover, inenvironmentally sensitive areas or otherwise inaccessible areas, such asmarshes, across river beds, and in shallow marine applications, theseismic sensors may be permanently or semi-permanently installed underthese surface anomalies from a single location, minimizing environmentalimpact and/or installation costs.

[0025]FIG. 2A shows an elevational side view of a horizontal ordirectional equipment 20 used in the preferred embodiments. It is notedthat drilling of the shallow, low-angle boreholes may start at asubstantial angle relative to the surface 28. FIG. 2A shows a drill bit22 attached to a drill string 24. As indicated by the directionalarrows, generally denoted 26, the horizontal drilling equipment 20 hasthe capability of rotating the drill string 24 and drill bit 22 whilealso horizontally translating the drill string to facilitate drilling.While the horizontal translation and rotation is shown in FIG. 2A, itmust be understood that other directional horizontal drilling systemsmay be appropriate in particular circumstances. For example, where largediameter holes are required, rotation of the drill string may bereplaced by a motor downhole that turns the drilling bit using thepressure of drilling fluid as the motive force. Likewise, whererelatively small diameter holes are required, which may be the case inthe installation of seismic sensors, the horizontal drilling device maynot “drill” in the classic sense, but may instead simply push pipethrough the ground. In the preferred embodiments, the horizontaldirectional drilling is made to level out at a particular depth D belowthe surface 28, after some transitory portion 24 from the surface. Thedepth D used will vary depending upon the situation. Generally speaking,the seismic sensors of the preferred embodiments are placed below layerswhose seismic characteristics are affected by surface conditions—theweathering layer. In the great majority of installations, the shallow,low-angle boreholes will only be twenty to fifty feet to be beneath thesurface. However, in some locations, such as Saudi Arabia, the surfacesand may extend down 100 feet or more, and in these circumstances thepreferred embodiment would have a depth below the surface sand. In coldclimates such as Alaska and inside the Arctic Circle, the preferredembodiments would be below the permafrost line, which may extend to adepth of 500 feet or more. Likewise, in marine applications, theshallow, low-angle borehole preferably would have a depth below the siltlayer.

[0026]FIG. 2A also shows that the hole created by the directionalhorizontal drilling equipment 20 has a particular length L. The length,too, may be dependent upon several factors. For example, if thehydrocarbon producing formation for which the 4-D seismic information isdesired is relatively small, it may be that the horizontal drillingequipment 20 may be capable of drilling boreholes with a length Lsufficient to span the formation for 4-D seismic purposes. If, however,the hydrocarbon formation of interest is relatively large, lengthlimitations of the horizontal drilling may be overcome by producing aplurality of holes in a radial pattern (discussed more fully below). Asof the writing of this specification, the technology in shallow,low-angle borehole drilling is capable of producing lengths in excess of5,000 feet for relatively large diameter, i.e. 30 inch, pipe. Inasmuchas the seismic sensors of the preferred embodiments fit within a threeto five inch internal diameter (ID) or smaller, lengths in excess of twomiles may be achievable.

[0027]FIG. 2A also shows that at some point, the horizontal hole mayneed to reach the surface. In FIG. 2A this point is shown as location30. Though not specifically drawn in FIG. 2A, a second horizontaldirectional drilling machine, similar to that of 20, may be required atthe end 30. Before proceeding, it must be understood that the boreholedrilled by the directional horizontal drilling machine need notnecessarily emerge at a distant location 30. Indeed, in the preferredembodiment the shallow, low-angle boreholes do not emerge, and ratherextend such as that shown in FIG. 4, discussed more below.

[0028] The seismic sensors of the preferred embodiments could beinstalled in a pipe, liner or lining device, for example a steel orplastic tubing. The sensors themselves could be inside a liner,integrated within the lining, or coupled to an outside of the liner. Thetubing could be pushed into the hole previously created, moved in bywireline technique, hydraulically forced in, or drug in by way of atractor mechanism. Generally, if the shallow, low-angle borehole extendsthrough rock layers, no liner is required. If, however, the shallow,low-angle boreholes extend through loose soil or through wet conditions,a liner may be required.

[0029]FIG. 2B shows an elevational view of creating the shallow,low-angle boreholes of an embodiment in which the entry and exit pointsconnect, and also shows a surface anomaly traversed. In particular, inFIG. 2B the horizontal borehole 32, or at least a pilot hole thereof,has already been drilled. In this case, the horizontal drillingequipment 20 is shown pulling sensor cable 34 through the horizontalborehole. Although not specifically required given the proportions ofthe sensor cable 34 and the borehole 32, this pull-back may include useof a reamer 36, which increases the diameter of the hole, as well as aswivel couple 38, which allows the sensor cable 34 to remain untwistedin spite of the twisting of the drill string 24. As can be appreciatedfrom the drawing of FIG. 2B, permanently or semi-permanently installingthe sensor cable 34 under a surface anomaly, in this case a river 40,drastically increases the repeatability and practicality of repeatedseismic surveys. Although FIG. 2B shows the sensor cable entering theborehole directly, in the preferred embodiments the sensor cable iswithin a lining, for example metal or plastic tubing. Thus, the sensorcables may eventually be removed, leaving the lining in place. Whenadditional seismic surveys are required, the sensor cables arere-installed.

[0030] The above discussion regarding directional horizontal drilling tocreate the shallow, low-angle boreholes is not meant to be an exhaustivedescription as to the various methods and equipment required; rather,the above discussion is simply to apprise one of ordinary skill in theart of how such technology operates in general, and how it is applicableto sub-surface yet shallow installation of seismic sensors. Manycompanies throughout the world provide such horizontal drillingservices, such as: A & L Underground, Inc., 14700 West 107^(th) Street,Lenexa, Kans. 66215; Horizontal Drilling International, Inc., 3430Rogerdale Road, Houston, Tex. 77042; Longbore, Inc., 4125 Southerland,Houston, Tex. 77092.

[0031]FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of one possible layout of theshallow, low-angle boreholes of the preferred embodiment. In particular,FIG. 3A shows the surface of the earth 28 as well as two pad sites 42and 44. It is from these pad sites that the shallow, low-angle boreholesare drilled. In the system shown in FIG. 3A, eight such shallow,low-angle boreholes 47A-I are shown, although any number may be used.These various shallow, low-angle boreholes may be situated above, forexample, a well bore 48 tapping into a hydrocarbon producing formation50.

[0032]FIG. 3B shows an overhead view of the exemplary set of shallow,low-angle boreholes centered over the vertical well bore 48. Preferably,one or more of the shallow, low-angle boreholes 46A-I contain some formof sensing device spaced periodically within the borehole. In oneembodiment, the sensing devices are seismic sensing devices, but otherdevices may be equivalently used, such as environmental sensing devices,such as temperature, salinity and resistivity.

[0033]FIGS. 3A and 3B show the shallow, low-angle boreholes 46A-Iconnected to each pad site 42, 44. Pad sites 42, 44 are the locationswhere the horizontal drilling equipment 20 is placed during creation ofthe shallow, low-angle boreholes, but these pad sites are also thelocation for electrically coupling to the sensing devices in theshallow, low-angle boreholes 46A-I. Once one or more of the shallow,low-angle boreholes 46A-I has the sensing devices therein, some kind ofdisturbance is created, which could be detonation of dynamite, the useof vibrator trucks, or preferably the use of source devices placedwithin one of the shallow, low-angle boreholes 46A-I.

[0034]FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of another embodiment in which theshallow, low-angle boreholes do not couple from pad 42 to pad 44. Inparticular, the shallow, low-angle boreholes extending from pad 42(boreholes 50A-D) interlace with, but are not in communication with, theshallow, low-angle boreholes extending from pad 44 (boreholes 52A-C). Anexemplary arrangement for the system shown in FIG. 4 is to haveperiodically spaced seismic sensors in the shallow, low-angle boreholes50A-D, and a series of periodically spaced seismic sources in theinterlacing shallow, low-angle boreholes 52A-C.

[0035]FIG. 5 shows yet another exemplary layout for the shallow,low-angle boreholes of the preferred embodiment. In particular, a singlecenter pad 54 forms the hub for a plurality of shallow, low-angleboreholes 56A-G extending in a radial pattern. As can be appreciated, ifeach of the shallow, low-angle boreholes may reach a distance of twomiles from the center pad 54, then it is possible that the radialpattern exemplified in FIG. 5 could cover an area of approximatelytwelve square miles. As the state of the technology in horizontaldrilling advances, the distances that may be traversed by these shallow,low-angle boreholes may increase, and these increases in distance arewithin the contemplation of this invention.

[0036] As one of ordinary skill in the art is aware, hydrocarbonproducing formations may only be viable for a limited amount of time,for example a formation may be depleted after ten years of production.After depletion of the hydrocarbon formation, it may be desirable toremove the seismic sensing devices (or liners if applicable) from theshallow, low-angle boreholes. Removal of these devices may take place atthe one or more pad sites 42, 44. Moreover, in environmentally sensitiveareas, only relatively small surface areas, namely the pad sites, wouldneed to be remediated, thus eliminating all evidence that the seismictechniques were employed.

[0037] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of theprinciples and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerousvariations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled inthe art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example,many sensing devices other than seismic sensors may be installed in theshallow, low-angle boreholes, such as acoustic, micro-seismic,electrical (resistivity, electromagnetic), gravimetric, nuclear,attitude (dip, orientation, elevation), geochemical and geomechanical.Moreover, the various patterns for the boreholes are merely exemplary,and non-periodic patterns would be operational, though not preferred. Itis intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all suchvariations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of monitoring a hydrocarbon producingformation, the method comprising: installing a sensing device in ashallow, low-angle borehole; operating a source device; and sensing astate of the hydrocarbon producing formation with the sensing device. 2.The method as defined in claim 1 wherein installing a sensing device ina shallow, low-angle borehole further comprises installing the sensingdevice in a borehole proximate to the surface of the earth, yet belowsurface anomalies.
 3. The method as defined in claim 2 whereininstalling the sensing device in a borehole proximate to the surface ofthe earth, yet below surface anomalies further comprises installing thesensing devices in a borehole having a depth of less than 1000 feet. 4.The method as defined in claim 1 wherein installing a sensing device ina shallow, low-angle borehole further comprises installing a pluralityof sensing devices at least one each in a plurality of shallow,low-angle boreholes.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4 whereininstalling a plurality of sensing devices at least one each in aplurality of shallow, low-angle boreholes further comprises installingthe plurality of sensing devices in a plurality of shallow, low-angleboreholes extending substantially parallel to each other.
 6. The methodas defined in claim 4 wherein installing a plurality of sensing devicesat least one each in a plurality of shallow, low-angle boreholes furthercomprises installing the plurality of sensing devices in a plurality ofshallow, low-angle boreholes extending in a radial pattern from acentral area.
 7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein operating asource device further comprises operating a source device within ashallow, low-angle borehole.
 8. The method as defined in claim 1 whereininstalling a sensing device in a shallow, low-angle borehole furthercomprises installing the sensing device in shallow, low-angle boreholebeneath a marine environment.
 9. A system for making seismicmeasurements of an earth formation comprising: a first pad site on thesurface of the earth; a plurality of shallow, low-angle boreholesextending from the first pad site; seismic sensing devices within the atleast one of the shallow, low-angle boreholes; a seismic source inoperational relationship to the seismic sensors and the earth formation;and wherein the seismic source creates energy, and the seismic sensingdevices sense portions of the energy that reflect from the earthformation.
 10. The system as defined in claim 9 further comprising asecond pad site, and wherein the plurality of shallow, low-angleborehole extend between the first and second pad sites.
 11. The systemas defined in claim 10 wherein the plurality of shallow, low-angleboreholes extending between the first and second pad sites aresubstantially parallel to each other.
 12. The system as defined in claim9 wherein the shallow, low-angle boreholes extend from the first padsite in a radial pattern.
 13. The system as defined in claim 9 whereinthe shallow, low-angle boreholes extend substantially parallel to eachother and to a surface of the earth.
 14. The system as defined in claim9 further comprising: a second pad site; a second plurality of shallow,low-angle boreholes extending from the second pad site; and wherein theplurality of shallow, low-angle boreholes extending from the first padsite form an interlacing pattern with the second plurality of shallow,low-angle boreholes.
 15. The system as defined in claim 9 furthercomprising a lining within the plurality of shallow, low-angle wells,the seismic sensing devices within the lining.
 16. The system as definedin claim 15 wherein the lining further comprises a plastic tubing. 17.The system as defined in claim 15 wherein the lining further comprises ametallic tubing.
 18. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein theseismic sensing devices are disposed inside the lining.
 19. The systemas defined in claim 15 wherein the seismic sensing devices areintegrated within the lining.
 20. The system as defined in claim 15wherein the seismic sensing devices are coupled to an outside portion ofthe lining.
 21. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the pluralityof shallow, low-angle boreholes further comprises a plurality ofshallow, low-angle boreholes having a diameter of about five inches orless.
 22. A method of installing a sensing device for monitoring ahydrocarbon producing formation, the method comprising: drilling ashallow, low-angle borehole; installing in the shallow, low-angleborehole a sensing device; operating a source device; and sensing astate of the hydrocarbon producing formation with the sensing device.23. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein drilling a shallow,low-angle borehole further comprises drilling a shallow, low-angleborehole beneath surface anomalies.
 24. The method as defined in claim23 wherein drilling a shallow, low-angle borehole beneath surfaceanomalies further comprises drilling a shallow, low-angle borehole at adepth below a weathering layer.
 25. The method as defined in claim 24further comprising drilling the borehole having a maximum depth of lessthan 1000 feet.
 26. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein installingin the shallow, low-angle borehole a sensing device further comprisesinstalling a plurality spaced apart sensing devices within the borehole.27. The method as defined in claim 26 wherein installing a pluralityspaced apart sensing devices within the borehole further comprisesinstalling a plurality of periodically spaced sensing devices within theborehole.
 28. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein drilling ashallow, low-angle borehole further comprises drilling the shallow,low-angle borehole in a marine environment.
 29. The method as defined inclaim 22 wherein installing in the shallow, low-angle borehole a sensingdevice further comprises installing a borehole liner, the sensing devicecoupled to the liner.
 30. The method as defined in claim 29 whereininstalling a borehole liner further comprises installing a plastictubing in the borehole.
 31. The method as defined in claim 29 whereininstalling a borehole liner further comprises installing a metallictubing in the borehole.
 32. The method as defined in claim 29 whereininstalling a borehole liner further comprises installing the boreholeliner with the sensing device inside the liner.
 33. The method asdefined in claim 29 wherein installing a borehole liner furthercomprises installing the borehole liner with the sensing deviceintegrated with the liner.
 34. The method as defined in claim 29 whereininstalling a borehole liner further comprises installing the boreholeliner with the sensing device coupled to the outside of the liner. 35.The method as defined in claim 22 wherein operating a source devicefurther comprises igniting a dynamite charge.
 36. The method as definedin claim 22 wherein operating a source device further comprisesoperating a truck on a surface of the earth that propagates energy intothe earth.
 37. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein operating asource device further comprises activating an energy source within ashallow, low-angle borehole.
 38. The method as defined in claim 22wherein sensing a state of the hydrocarbon producing formation with thesensing device further comprises sensing energy reflected from thehydrocarbon formation, the reflected energy indicative of the state ofthe formation.
 39. A method of making a seismic survey of an undergroundearth formation, the method comprising: placing a seismic sensing devicewithin substantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of theearth; inducing seismic signals propagating toward the underground earthformation; and recording seismic signals reflected from the undergroundearth formation with the seismic sensing devices.
 40. The method asdefined in claim 39 wherein a placing seismic sensing device withinsubstantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of the earthfurther comprises placing the seismic sensor in the borehole having adepth of less than 1000 feet.
 41. The method as defined in claim 39wherein activating a seismic event further comprises: placing a seismicsource within a substantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surfaceof the earth; and activating the seismic source.
 42. The method asdefined in claim 39 wherein placing a seismic sensing device withinsubstantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of the earthfurther comprises placing a plurality of seismic sensing devices atleast one each within a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholesproximate to the surface of the earth.
 43. The method as defined inclaim 42 wherein placing a plurality of seismic sensing devices at leastone each within a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholesproximate to the surface of the earth further comprises placing aplurality of seismic sensing devices within each of the plurality ofsubstantially horizontal boreholes.
 44. The method as defined in claim43 wherein placing a plurality of seismic sensing devices within each ofthe plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes further comprisesplacing the seismic sensing devices at periodically spaced intervalswithin the boreholes.
 45. The method as defined in claim 44 whereininducing seismic signals propagating toward the underground earthformation further comprises: placing a seismic source in a substantiallyhorizontal borehole proximate to the surface of the earth; andactivating the seismic source.
 46. A system for making a seismic surveyof an underground earth formation, the system comprising: a firstsubstantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of the earth; afirst seismic sensing device within the substantially horizontalborehole; and a seismic source in operational relationship to the firstseismic sensor and the underground earth formation.
 47. The system asdefined in claim 46 wherein the first substantially horizontal boreholehas a depth of less than 1000 feet.
 48. The system as defined in claim46 wherein the seismic source in operational relationship to the firstseismic sensor and the underground earth formation further comprises: asecond substantially horizontal borehole proximate to the surface of theearth; and said seismic source mounted within the second substantiallyhorizontal borehole.
 49. A system for making a seismic survey of anunderground earth formation, the system comprising: a plurality ofsubstantially horizontal boreholes proximate to the surface of theearth; a plurality of seismic sensing devices disposed at least one eachin the plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes; and a seismicsource in operational relationship to the plurality of seismic sensorsand the underground earth formation.
 50. The system as defined in claim49 further comprising at least one of the plurality of substantiallyhorizontal boreholes having a liner disposed therein, the seismicsensing devices disposed within an internal diameter of the liner. 51.The system as defined in claim 50 wherein the liner further comprises aplastic based tubing.
 52. The system as defined in claim 50 wherein theliner further comprises a metallic based tubing.
 53. The system asdefined in claim 49 where the seismic source in operational relationshipto the plurality of seismic sensors and the underground earth formationfurther comprises a seismic sensing device in a substantially horizontalborehole proximate to the surface of the earth, the substantiallyhorizontal borehole proximate to the plurality of substantiallyhorizontal boreholes housing the seismic sensing devices.
 54. The systemas defined in claim 49 further comprising: a first pad site; a secondpad site; and wherein the plurality of the substantially horizontalboreholes extend between the first pad site and the second pad site. 55.The system as defined in claim 49 further comprising: a first pad site;a second pad site; and wherein at least one of the plurality ofsubstantially horizontal boreholes extends from the first pad site, andwherein at least one of the plurality of substantially horizontalboreholes extends from the second pad site, and wherein the plurality ofsubstantially horizontal boreholes are substantially parallel to eachother.
 56. The system as defined in claim 49 further comprising: a padsite; and wherein the plurality of the substantially horizontalboreholes extend radially from the first pad site.